The total production number of 1963 Corvette coupe Z06’s was
199. Of these, there were approximately 50 delivered with the big
tank. The big tank was 36.5 gallon capacity, and only available in
the coupe. The Z06 option was a whopping $1,818.45 extra on the
options list. That was a large sum in 1963 dollars; especially
considering the base price on the coupe was $4,257.00. The Z06
option wasn’t meant for the casual street driver, but intended
for serious racers.
The Z06 package incorporated, as mandatory, the L84 Fuel
injected 327 360 HP motor, G81 positraction, M20 4-speed, special
heavy duty racing suspension, and special big brakes that were
unique to the Z06. The N03 36.5 big tank was mandatory up until
December 18, 1962 at which time it became optional. The P48
knock-off wheels were initially listed as mandatory, but soon
removed as the factory had casting problems with the wheels.
The Z06 big brakes were unique in that they had bigger metallic
sintered brake shoes and accompanying finned drums. Also there
were separate internal cooling fins like a fan. The backing plates
had screened vent openings, to which air scoops (dubbed elephant
ears) were bolted on. The air scoops were sent separately from the
factory in a box, with instructions on how to install them. The
master cylinder was a special dual circuit unit with a special
power brake booster unique to the Z06; and different than RPO
J65 and J50, which were the standard big brake options.
The Z06 featured here has been meticulously frame-off restored
and Bloomington Gold certified. It is equipped having of course,
the mandatory Z06 big brake package and heavy duty racing
suspension, L84 motor, M20 4-speed, G81 positraction; plus the
options of N03 big tank, AM/FM radio, and power windows. It
currently has a set of the extremely rare gear drive hub knock-off
wheels and N.O.S. Firestone tires on it today. A very limited
number of these Gear Drive Knock-Off wheels survive today. These
gear drive knock-off’s were developed as a cure to the problem
of the regular hub knock-off’s having spun on the hub.
The 1963 split window Corvette coupe body style, is the only
year that survey polls by readers of certain Corvette magazines;
picked the coupe body style over the roadster. It was a design by
Larry Shinoda; which some feel even today, will never be equaled
in popularity. Unfortunately GM removed the split window the
following year for the concerns of visibility out the rear window.
Due to the split window being a one year only feature, it makes
the 63 coupe all the more special!
